The Divorce

5

Two weeks passed and Harry had gotten used to having Louis around. It was as if they had lived together for ages.

It was nice to have someone who greeted him when he got home from work. It was nice to have someone to cook for and to have company at the dinner table. It was nice to spend the evening with someone even if it was just watching a film together.

The problem was that it wasn't just nice, it was absolutely wonderful because that someone was Louis. Harry was in trouble. He thought he had gotten over unwanted feelings for Louis. Now they had flared back up and it was worse than ever.

On Friday Louis went to an after work with his coworkers. Harry hung out with Niall. They went to dinner.
"So how is it living with Louis?" Niall asked after they made their orders.

"It's fine." Harry shrugged.

"Don't bullshit me. How is it really?" Niall questioned.

Harry looked at him.
"It's... complicated. Wonderful, but quite challenging for me at least." Harry admitted.

"Well, no shit. Is it too much? I can always let him crash at my place." Niall offered.

"No, no. It's okay. I like having him around." Harry hurriedly protested.

"A little too much. You should tell him how you feel." Niall said, eyeing him worriedly.

"Nothing destroys a friendship faster than the expression of romantic feelings." Harry snorted.

"Louis can handle it." Niall said.

"I don't think I would handle the rejection that well." Harry admitted.

"I still think he's a bit fruity." Niall commented.

"I've never picked up that vibe." Harry protested.

"Well, he's been in a relationship with El for as long as we'd known him. He's not a cheater." Niall replied.

Their food arrived so they dropped the subject. Harry arrived home by ten and watched some TV before he went to bed by midnight. Louis was still out.

He had just fallen asleep when he woke up from a commotion in the hallway. He was about to get up and check on Louis when he heard a girl giggle and froze on the spot. Louis brought someone home?

Hell no! He couldn't listen to that! Harry sprung out of bed with not much of a plan. Just as he opened the bedroom door slightly he heard Louis talk and froze again with his hand on the door handle.
"I'm sorry, I don't wanna do this anymore."

"You asked me to come home with you." The girl responded.

"Yeah, but I changed me fucking mind. Me mate is sleeping next door and I'm too drunk for this. I don't think I can even get it up, to be honest." Louis said.

The girl gasped dramatically and Harry heard how she left and slammed the front door behind her.
"Jesus fuck." Louis muttered.

Harry opened the door and poked his head outside.
"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry if I woke you. Get back to bed." Louis said apologetically.

"It's fine. Do you need something?" Harry asked and stepped out into the corridor. He realized that he was in his boxers but that was too late now.

Louis sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. He swayed back and forth.
"I really don't wanna be alone right now. Is it okay if I sleep in your room?"

"Uhm, sure." Harry gulped.

"Thanks. I'm just gonna brush me teeth." Louis smiled.

He walked past him on the way to the bathroom. Harry just stood there for a moment before he returned to his room and got in bed. He left the door open. Five minutes later Louis came into the room and closed the door behind him. Harry scooched to the side to make room for him. Louis undressed but left his boxers on and got under the cover.

They lay on their backs and stared at the ceiling for a while before Harry opened his mouth.
"You brought home a girl."

"Yeah, sorry. I clearly didn't think that over. This is your place." Louis said.

"You live here too. I guess we have to talk about stuff like that. I mean..." Harry said.

"I don't want you to be forced to live in celibacy just because I moved in. If you want to bring a guy home with you I won't be in your way." Louis answered.

"I pretty much lived in celibacy before you moved in so that won't be a problem." Harry chuckled.

"That's a shame. Don't you miss sex?* Louis asked.

Harry twisted uncomfortably. This wasn't a topic he wanted to discuss with Louis next to him in bed.
"Definitely but you'll get used to it."

"It's not something I look forward to getting used to." Louis grunted.

"That girl?" Harry questioned.

"Stupid mistake. I'm not ready." Louis answered.

"Understandable." Harry replied.

"So you don't have to worry. I won't drag someone else to your apartment anytime soon." Louis smirked.

"Alright." Harry said and tried his best not to sound so relieved.

"Night, Hazza." Louis said and yawned. He turned his back to him.

"Good night, Lou." Harry replied and turned away as well.

He listened to Louis' breaths become even. He had difficulties falling asleep himself. Ten minutes later Louis turned around in his sleep and threw an arm around him. Harry held his breath as Louis nuzzled in with his nose at the back of his neck. Harry was afraid to move.

He hadn't been held in ages. It made him a little emotional. That it was Louis spooning him made it even better or worse depending on how he chose to look at it. Right now he settled on better. Harry closed his eyes with a content sigh and drifted off to sleep.